THE significance of York City's last-gasp leveller at Bristol Rovers was not lost on salvage star Richard Cooper.

Not only did his first goal in senior football seal City's first draw of the season, the battling 2-2 stalemate on Saturday brought to an end a run of three successive defeats for the Minstermen.

With home games looming, starting tomorrow night against Plymouth Argyle, Cooper is looking for City to use Saturday's point of order as a springboard to a fresh assault on a top-half ranking.

"This was a big, big point for us," said Cooper. "Maybe the confidence has been a little bit low but we have bounced back well. Coming back in the last minute gives everyone a lift.

"We went 4-3-3 and we certainly went for it and we kept on going. Hopefully we can build on it."

Cooper was adamant the point was the least City deserved after fighting back from behind to seal the draw against the Pirates.

"I thought we worked really hard in the match and in training this week and we deserved at least a point.

"It was an important game for us. We wanted to get back on track and having worked really hard I thought we deserved something from the game.

"Obviously, it was pleasing to score but it doesn't really matter as long as the team does well whichis all I am bothered about.

"Out of the next three games two of them are home games so they are really important. If we can get wins there we can get back up the table again."

Cooper admitted his goal was particularly satisfying after being dropped from the side in the wake of City's 4-0 defeat at Hull, a decision he didn't argue with.

"I didn't think I was playing that well. It was a sticky patch for me," he confessed.

"I had a word with the gaffer and he said what he thought it might be and I think the little bit of time out might have done me good.

"The gaffer was sound about it, he listened to what I had to say.

"I'm moving up from Nottingham but I don't want to use that as an excuse.

"The sooner I get up to York though the better because I can concentrate on my football more."

Updated: 12:04 Monday, September 24, 2001